Where in the world: Qatar

Where in the world – summer edition

We haven’t had a photo quiz in quite a while here on Sophie’s World, so here’s a little summer quiz for you, dear readers: Where in the world is this skyline?

Here’s a hint: – It’s mostly summer all year round in this capital; well above 40°C when I visited in October a few years ago.

Think you know the answer?

The winner will be featured here on Sophie’s World and on Sophie’s World facebook page – with a link back to your site if you’re a blogger.

Update 31 July: This skyline is in Doha in Qatar

This was a difficult one, it seems. Many of you were in the neighbourhood – in the UAE, specifically. This, however, is not one of the emirates.

This skyline – shimmering in the afternoon heat – is in Doha, capital of tiny Qatar, the world’s richest country. Doha is host to numerous international events, most notably the Doha Round of the WTO. In February this year, the latest reconciliation attempt between Fatah and Hamas took place in Doha, bringing a glimpse of hope to troubled Palestine.

Another institution associated with the Qatari capital is the Doha Debates. You may have seen it on BBC World News. Eight times a year, a controversial issue is debated – a battleground where words are the only weapons. Protection of religious minorities, marriage between close family members, censorship and the arts, the position of women after the Arab uprisings and numerous other fascinating subjects have been debated. I think it’s a wonderful idea and a highlight of television.

Qatar! I just loved Doha. I do believe if I’d seen this photo before you gave the answer I would have guessed it. Even when I was there – gosh, already about a year and a half ago – the new part of the city was still being built up. Qatar is really going to be quite something some day soon, I think.

Never been to Qatar yet but a colleague just returned after spending 6 months there working. Yes a lovely place was his take but the people tended to be a little (I don’t want to say rude but). One of his examples on this was standing in a queue at a shop waiting to pay for your food items and a local resident noticing that you are a foreigner just decides to walk in front of you and straight to the counter to pay, this was just one example of many he gave me. Its a shame, hope all visitors do not feel the same way.